Luoyang

Luoyang's central position in China's geography relates to its central position in China's history. Thirteen of China's dynasties (Xia through Tang) made it their capital. Besides being a political center, it was also central to religion as the birth-place of Taosim, and home to the White Horse Temple (Baima), first official Buddhist temple in China. The Longman Grottoes, about 8 miles south of Luoyang, date from A.D. 316 to 907, and likely represent China's most prolific site for Buddhist images and inscriptions (see a separate gallery). From a scientific viewpoint, Luoyang is also important as the place where paper making, the seismograph, printing and the compass were invented. For Christians, Luoyang is also home to Maria's House of Hope, a six-story hospital and orphanage founded by Steven Curtis Chapman of Nashville TN.

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